I Put “Snake Oil” On My Face for 21 Days: Here’s What Happened
By Jessica T. | Updated 2 days ago
Okay, look. I know what you’re thinking. “Snake Oil”? Really? In the skincare world, calling something snake oil is usually an insult. It means it’s a scam, a fake, a bottle of lies. So when I saw the West&Month Snake Oil Gel pop up on my feed, I actually laughed out loud. I thought it was a joke product.
But then curiosity got the better of me. I started reading about traditional ingredients, and it turns out snake oil (rich in omega-3s) has been used for centuries in various cultures to heal inflammation and lock in moisture. Plus, at $29.99, it wasn’t going to bankrupt me if it turned out to be a dud.
My skin has been going through a rough patch lately—literally. Dry patches around my nose, some annoying fine lines creeping in on my forehead, and just a general lack of “bounce.” So, I decided to be the guinea pig. I bought it, I tried it, and I have some thoughts. Some are good, some are… well, keep reading.
Here is the honest truth about this controversial little bottle.
First Impressions: The “Ew” Factor?
I was fully prepared for this to smell weird. I don’t know why, but my brain associated “snake” with “swamp.” I was bracing myself for a medicinal, herbal funk that would make my husband want to sleep in the guest room.
Surprise #1: It doesn’t smell like anything bad. It’s incredibly subtle. There’s a faint, clean scent that disappears the second you rub it in. If you are sensitive to fragrance, you’re safe here.
The texture is where things get interesting. It’s called a “gel,” and it lives up to that. It’s not a watery serum, and it’s not a thick cream. It reminds me of aloe vera but silkier. It has this cool-to-the-touch feeling when it hits your skin. Honestly, on a hot morning, applying this felt like a mini spa moment. It glides on clear and sinks in fast—no greasy residue, which is a massive win for my combination skin.
The Ingredients: What’s Actually Inside?
Before I tell you about my results, let’s look at the label. It’s not just snake oil. The West&Month Snake Oil Gel formula is actually a cocktail of three heavy hitters:
- Snake Oil: The controversial star. Historically, this is used for its penetrating power. It’s supposed to reduce inflammation and help other ingredients sink deeper.
- Glycerin: I love glycerin. It’s the unsung hero of hydration. While hyaluronic acid gets all the hype, glycerin is the reliable workhorse that pulls moisture into your skin and keeps it there.
- Collagen: We all know this one. It’s there to help with the “firming” claims, trying to give that bounce back to tired skin.
The combination is smart. You have the moisture-pulling glycerin, the barrier-supporting snake oil, and the structural support of collagen. On paper, it works.
My 3-Week Experience
Week 1: The Purge Scare?
Usually, when I switch products, my skin freaks out. I get little whiteheads or redness. I was nervous about putting something so rich on my face. But day 1, day 2, day 3… nothing bad happened. My skin just drank it up. I noticed that my makeup went on smoother in the mornings. You know how foundation sometimes clings to dry patches? That stopped happening by Wednesday.
Week 2: The Glow Up
This is when I started noticing the “brightening” claim. I wouldn’t say my dark spots vanished—that takes months—but my overall complexion looked less dull. It looked fresh. I woke up looking less like a zombie and more like a person who actually drinks 8 glasses of water a day (I definitely do not).
Week 3: The Fine Lines Test
Here is the thing about fine lines: no cream wipes them away like an eraser. If a product promises that, they are lying. However, hydration plumps the skin, which makes lines look shallower. After three weeks of using the West&Month Snake Oil Gel, the lines on my forehead were definitely less harsh. They looked softer. My skin felt firmer to the touch, like it had a bit more tension in it.
How It Stacks Up Against The Competition
I’ve tried a lot of serums. Here is how this budget-friendly option compares to other stuff in my cabinet.
| Feature | West&Month Snake Oil Gel | Standard Hyaluronic Serum | High-End Retinol Cream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Benefit | Deep Hydration + Firming | Surface Hydration | Cell Turnover |
| Texture | Silky Gel | Watery / Sticky | Heavy Cream |
| Irritation Risk | Low | None | High (Peeling/Redness) |
| Price | $29.99 | $15 – $50 | $60+ |
